CA DMV registering and taking off non-op

[1971ford]

My highboy has been on non-op for a few years, and in a few days it will be ready to be my daily driver. I recently got a renew-registration letter that says it is on non-op, which it is, and it says I owe $113 in fees , which i do. It says if i want to keep it on non-op, disregard the whole letter, but if i want to re-register it, then send the $113.

It says this.

Before operating this vehicle on the streets or highways during registration period of 12/31/2010-12/31/2011. Renew the registration by mailing the fees and documents indicated below, with the bottom portion of this form.

Does this mean that even if i pay tomorrow, i can't drive it until 12/31/2011 because that is when my next registration date is???? That would mean that I can't drive my freakin truck for 2 months?
The bottom portion of the "form" is simply 1/5 of a paper that says my address, dmv address, and a little information on the highboy and the $113 due.

Also, on the envelope to put the check in to send to the DMV if you want to take it off non-op and register it, says

once renewal fees have been deposited in the mail, california law allows you to operate your vehicle while DMV processes your renewal.

What I am getting out of this is I simply put the $113 check in the mail, and as soon as it goes in the mail man's car I can drive the truck? What about my registration sticker, are they going to send that once they get my $113? What happens when i get pulled over next week for having a 2007 tag? Just copy the envelope that says i can drive the vehicle after i have sent the money?

I don't fully understand the registration process as i've never done it before and the bed might not be on the highboy for a few days so it will be a cop magnet.

[Mancar1]

You can mail it in, but it would probably make you feel better to make an apt. and go into DMV and let them explain it. Also if you go in they will give you your updated reg. and sticker, if taking it off non-op is what you want to do at this time.

[Ranchero50]

Exactly, perhaps posting the results will help someone else out. IN the Peoples Republic of Maryland nothing moves on the street without current tags and insurance.

Jamie

[towtruckerfour]

Can you pay online and get something you can print out as proof of registration until the tags arrive?

[Mancar1]

In Ca you can get a one day permit to drive your non-op on the street. For moving it from point a to point b. That would work for a test run if your state permits the permit.

[Mancar1]

In Ca you can get a one day permit to drive your non-op on the street. For moving it from point a to point b. That would work for a test run if your state permits the permit.

Oops didn't mean to post this twice

[1971ford]

Robroy- the way you have explained it makes perfect sense, and it makes everything i have read come clear.
If this is indeed the case ( calling DMV tomorrow ) then I think I'm going to pay it and drive the 4x4 and pay it again in a couple months, because driving the race truck in rain is just sketchy by all means. I'd rather pay an extra $140 than wad up the '71. Mud terrains, and especially worn down mud terrains, don't do so good in the rain as i have come to find out.

Although I understand you are not 100% sure Robroy, what you have said would make perfect sense. I forgot to call the dmv today (well i didn't, when icalled they were closed) so ill call tomorrow to double check.

[rjewkes]

The problem i remember from my time in Cali, was that what they say today at Dmv will be wrong tommorrow, saying that, I ultimately agree with Rob. You pay for 2008 and 2009, and you can drive until the last day of the 2009-2010 season.

then when you pay 2010-2011's reg bill you'll be good until next december, why they can't just say that. They seem in the legalese to use decorumn for all rules and regs. instead of saying right now for instance, they'll say Forthwit.

also you might see what it is to just rereg for the 2011 sticker now, sometimes they can do that. becuase i'll bet unless the reg on older cars 25 years older or older has gone up your reg for the truck without fees is less than 50. When i was out there in 2000 my car a '77 nova was a year overdue on the p.o.'s reg and i was made to pay it plus my own. and i had to have new tags becuase i was dumb and didn't realize how cool the old black and blue or blue and yellow ones was. and it only cost me the smog cert, i think ran me 15 or 20 and between the old fees and my 22.00 fee and new tags it came to 110.00 including the smog cert.

[BiggDogg]

Hey Ryan, I agree with Mancar1. Best bet would be to make an appointment and have someone explain it to you face-to-face, and maybe they can even print something out for you so you have it in writing. In my experiences, its nearly impossible to speak with a human when calling the DMV (usually its just an automated system). You can go online and schedule an appointment:

http://dmv.ca.gov/online/vrir/vr_top2.htm